Eco-geological vulnerability assessment is a significant research topic within the field of eco-geology,but it remains poorly studied.The Mu Us Sandy Land,located in the central part of the farming-pastoral ecotone in...Eco-geological vulnerability assessment is a significant research topic within the field of eco-geology,but it remains poorly studied.The Mu Us Sandy Land,located in the central part of the farming-pastoral ecotone in northern China,plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological security pattern in this region.However,this sandy land also faces severe sandy desertification and ecological degradation.This study conducted a regional eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land using a comprehensive index evaluation method based on eco-geological theories and survey results.To construct an appropriate index system for the eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land,the study considered the sandy land’s unique characteristics and identified 15 factors of five categories,namely geology,meteorology,soil,topography,and vegetation.The paper calculated the comprehensive weights of all the indices using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and the entropy weight method(EWM).Furthermore,it established the eco-geological vulnerability index(EGVI)and obtained the assessment results.The results showed that the eco-geological vulnerability of the Mu Us Sandy Land gradually intensifies from east to west,manifested as vulnerable eco-geological conditions overall.Specifically,extremely vulnerable zones are found in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the study area,highly vulnerable zones in the western and southern parts,moderately vulnerable zones in the central part,and slightly and potentially vulnerable zones in the eastern and southern parts.Areas with high spatial autocorrelations include the northern Uxin Banner-Otog Banner-Angsu Town area,the surrounding areas of Hongdunjie Town in the southeastern part of the study area,the Hongshiqiao Township-Xiaohaotu Township area,Otog Front Banner,and Bainijing Town,which should be prioritized in the ecological conservation and restoration.Additionally,the paper proposed suggestions for the ecological conservation and restoration of county-level administrative areas in the study area.Overall,the findings provide a valuable reference for the ecological conservation and restoration of the Mu Us Sandy Land and other desert areas in arid and semi-arid regions.展开更多
Facial recognition systems have become increasingly significant in public security efforts. They play a crucial role in apprehending criminals and locating missing children and elderly individuals. Nevertheless, in pr...Facial recognition systems have become increasingly significant in public security efforts. They play a crucial role in apprehending criminals and locating missing children and elderly individuals. Nevertheless, in practical applications, around 30% to 50% of images are obstructed to varied extents, for as by the presence of masks, glasses, or hats. Repairing the masked facial images will enhance face recognition accuracy by 10% to 20%. Simultaneously, market research indicates a rising demand for efficient facial recognition technology within the security and surveillance sectors, with projections suggesting that the global facial recognition market would exceed US$3 billion by 2025. Therefore, finding a prompt and efficient solution to fix the masked face and enhance its accuracy has become a pressing issue that has to be resolved. Currently, the generative adversarial network has shown excellent performance in the field of image restoration, with high precision and good quality of restoration results, but it consumes a lot of computing resources. Based on this, this paper proposes a model architecture that uses the U-Net network to replace the generator in the generative adversarial network, and replaces all traditional convolutional layers with Depthwise Separable Convolutional (DWSC) to make the entire network lightweight. Ultimately, We utilise the Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) value to assess the efficacy of the developed model. We select samples with occlusion levels ranging from 10%–15% and 20%–30%, yielding PSNR values of 35.51 and 30.33, respectively. In contrast, the PSNR values of the three predominant algorithms in image restoration—PM, ShiftNet, and PICNet—are all below 30, demonstrating the superiority of the model presented in this paper. However, the model presented in this work possesses certain drawbacks. This work employs solely black rectangles to replicate real-life occlusions. Future study should utilise tangible objects, like as sunglasses and masks, to directly imitate occlusions, so enhancing the accuracy of the restoration effect. The model presented in this study can be further expanded from image restoration to video restoration to investigate the potential for dynamic occlusion repair.展开更多
This study focuses on urgent research on restoring and enhancing carbon storage capacity in the Beibu Gulf Urban Agglomer-ation of China,a key area in the‘Belt and Road’Initiative,which aligns with carbon peaking an...This study focuses on urgent research on restoring and enhancing carbon storage capacity in the Beibu Gulf Urban Agglomer-ation of China,a key area in the‘Belt and Road’Initiative,which aligns with carbon peaking and neutrality goals.This research ana-lyzes the spatial characteristics of carbon metabolism from 2000 to 2020 and uses models to identify stable carbon sink areas,positive carbon flow corridors,and carbon sequestration nodes.The goal is to construct a carbon metabolism spatial security pattern(CMSSP)and propose territorial ecological restoration strategies under different development demand scenarios.The results show the following:1)in 2020,the study area’s carbon sink decreased by 8.29×10^(4) t C/yr compared with that in 2010 and by 10.83×10^(4) t C/yr compared with that in 2000.High-carbon sinks were found mainly in mountainous areas,whereas low-carbon sinks are concentrated in urban con-struction land,rural residential areas,and land margins.2)From 2000 to 2020,the spatial security pattern of carbon metabolism tended to be‘high in the middle of the east and west and low in the gulf.’In 2000,2010,and 2020,16 stable carbon sinks were identified.The carbon energy flow density in Guangxi was greater than that in Guangdong and Hainan,with positive carbon flow corridors located primarily in Guangxi and Guangdong.The number of carbon sequestration nodes remained stable at approximately 15,mainly in Guangxi and Hainan.3)Scenario simulations revealed that under the Nature-based mild restoration scenario,the carbon sink rate will reach 611.85×10^(4) t C/yr by 2030 and increase to 612.45×10^(4) t C/yr by 2060,with stable carbon sinks increasing to 18.In the restora-tion scenario based on Anti-globalization,the carbon sink will decrease from 610.24×10^(4) t C/yr in 2030 to 605.19×10^(4) t C/yr in 2060,with the disappearance of some positive carbon flow corridors and stable carbon sinks.Under the Human-based sustainable restoration scenario,the carbon sink area will decrease from 607.00×10^(4) t C/yr in 2030 to 596.39×10^(4) t C/yr in 2060,with carbon sink areas frag-menting and positive carbon flow corridors becoming less dense.4)On the basis of the current and predicted CMSSPs,this study ex-plores spatial ecological restoration strategies for high-carbon storage areas in bay urban agglomerations at four levels:the land control region,urban agglomeration structure system,carbon sink structure and bay structure control region.展开更多
The metabolite lactate (L-lactate) can be generated and released by diverse brain cells,including neurons,astrocytes,and oligodendrocytes (Kann,2023;Rae et al.,2024).Lactate production usually requires the degradation...The metabolite lactate (L-lactate) can be generated and released by diverse brain cells,including neurons,astrocytes,and oligodendrocytes (Kann,2023;Rae et al.,2024).Lactate production usually requires the degradation of glucose (D-glucose)-and glycogen in astrocytes-to pyruvate by glycolysis and subsequent conversion of pyruvate to lactate by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase(Figure 1A;Dienel,2019;Rae et al.,2024).展开更多
Spinal cord injury results in paralysis, sensory disturbances, sphincter dysfunction, and multiple systemic secondary conditions, most arising from autonomic dysregulation. All this produces profound negative psychoso...Spinal cord injury results in paralysis, sensory disturbances, sphincter dysfunction, and multiple systemic secondary conditions, most arising from autonomic dysregulation. All this produces profound negative psychosocial implications for affected people, their families, and their communities;the financial costs can be challenging for their families and health institutions. Treatments aimed at restoring the spinal cord after spinal cord injury, which have been tested in animal models or clinical trials, generally seek to counteract one or more of the secondary mechanisms of injury to limit the extent of the initial damage. Most published works on structural/functional restoration in acute and chronic spinal cord injury stages use a single type of treatment: a drug or trophic factor, transplant of a cell type, and implantation of a biomaterial. Despite the significant benefits reported in animal models, when translating these successful therapeutic strategies to humans, the result in clinical trials has been considered of little relevance because the improvement, when present, is usually insufficient. Until now, most studies designed to promote neuroprotection or regeneration at different stages after spinal cord injury have used single treatments. Considering the occurrence of various secondary mechanisms of injury in the acute and sub-acute phases of spinal cord injury, it is reasonable to speculate that more than one therapeutic agent could be required to promote structural and functional restoration of the damaged spinal cord. Treatments that combine several therapeutic agents, targeting different mechanisms of injury, which, when used as a single therapy, have shown some benefits, allow us to assume that they will have synergistic beneficial effects. Thus, this narrative review article aims to summarize current trends in the use of strategies that combine therapeutic agents administered simultaneously or sequentially, seeking structural and functional restoration of the injured spinal cord.展开更多
To scientifically evaluate the restoration performance of ancient city walls,Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy(THz-TDS)and infrared thermal imaging technology were applied to assess the Desheng Fortress(Ming Dynasty)...To scientifically evaluate the restoration performance of ancient city walls,Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy(THz-TDS)and infrared thermal imaging technology were applied to assess the Desheng Fortress(Ming Dynasty).Three representative sections were examined:adobe brick masonry repaired(Area 1),well-preserved original(Area 2),and layer-by-layer ramming repaired(Area 3).THz spectral data revealed significant differences between Area 1(time delay:3.72 ps;refractive index:2.224)and Area 2(time delay:3.02 ps;refractive index:2.107),while Area 3(time delay:3.12 ps;refractive index:2.098)demonstrated nearly identical THz spectral data to Area 2.Infrared thermal imaging also showed that the Area 3 restored by layer-by-layer ramming exhibited greater uniformity with fewer instances of cracks,capillary phenomena,or biological diseases.The proposed point-surface integrated evaluation methodology synergistically combines infrared thermography mapping of heritage surfaces with THz spectral datasets acquired through in-situ micro-sampling,enabling quantitative restoration assessment and providing a novel approach for scientifically validating traditional conservation techniques.展开更多
There is evidence that the development of plant communities determines the composition and structure of the orthoptera assemblages. This is the reason for using the orthoptera biodiversity as an indicator of environme...There is evidence that the development of plant communities determines the composition and structure of the orthoptera assemblages. This is the reason for using the orthoptera biodiversity as an indicator of environmental recovery processes in revegetated areas. This research is a part of the monitoring actions included in the Breña’s Compensation Project, linked to the construction of the Breña II damp. It is aimed to assess the biodiversity of the Orthopteran assemblages settled in the restored river copses after nine years following (2007-2016). The results will be interpreted as an indirect measure of the success of the environmental improvement performed. In 2016, two forest farms named “Las Mesas” and “Cerro del Trigo” located in the Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park (Córdoba, Southern Iberian Peninsula) were selected for monitoring. These sampling sites were also selected in a previous following phase, which makes comparisons easier and more reliable. At each of these sampling sites, two revegetated enclosures corresponding to the environmental model “restored river copses” and their respective control areas were selected for the study. From the values of the specimen’s number recorded in each sampling plot, the same population indices that in the previous phase (Richness, Abundance, Dominance, Shannon Diversity, and Evenness) were calculated. The diversity profiles using Rényi’s family of uni-parametric diversity indices were also obtained. Differences in the indices were statistically tested by resampling bootstrapping for inferential statistics. Based on our results, the environmental differences between revegetated and control areas have not led to significant changes in the composition and structure of the orthopteran communities they host. In consequence, the environmental restoration carried out in the study area has not been as successful as could be expected and the previous environmental alterations have not been minimized nor have those derived from the environmental rehabilitation itself been compensated.展开更多
Bangladesh is a deltaic country with a 710 km coastline and numerous newly accreted offshore islands in the central and eastern coastal regions. Natural mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) occupies about 100 km of coastl...Bangladesh is a deltaic country with a 710 km coastline and numerous newly accreted offshore islands in the central and eastern coastal regions. Natural mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) occupies about 100 km of coastline in the southwest, which protects the lives and properties of the coastal population of that area. The depletion of the forest stock of the Sundarbans was reported in 1875 due to the large-scale clearings by the woodcutters and uncertainty in natural regeneration. The restoration of the Sundarbans in the name of enrichment plantation and assisted natural regeneration was formally introduced in 1959 with Excoecaria agallocha followed by the introduction of mangrove and mainland (non-mangrove) species in the moderate to high saline zone and raised lands in the freshwater zone, respectively in 1975. Chakaria Sundarbans, the second largest natural mangrove forest on the east coast, was highly degraded with the rapid expansion of aquaculture between 1976 and 1989. Tremendous human interferences significantly altered the site condition, interrupting natural recovery. Coastal afforestation was initiated in 1966 with two pioneer mangrove species (Sonneratia apetala and Avicennia officinalis). Some afforested sites require attention for restoration due to natural and manmade causes. Bangladesh Forest Department adopted restoration activities with the technical support of the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute and other agencies. However, all the restoration activities for the Sundarbans, Chakaria Sundarbans, and coastal afforested sites had some success and failure stories. The success and failure of a mangrove restoration activity depends on planning (active or passive restoration), selection of suitable sites and species, planting materials, local community involvement, monitoring, evaluation and plantation management.展开更多
Vision restoration presents a considerable challenge in the realm of regenerative medicine,while recent progress in ultrasound stimulation has displayed potential as a non-invasive therapeutic approach.This narrative ...Vision restoration presents a considerable challenge in the realm of regenerative medicine,while recent progress in ultrasound stimulation has displayed potential as a non-invasive therapeutic approach.This narrative review offers a comprehensive overview of current research on ultrasound-stimulated neuromodulation,emphasizing its potential as a treatment modality for various nerve injuries.By examining of the efficacy of different types of ultrasound stimulation in modulating peripheral and optic nerves,we can delve into their underlying molecular mechanisms.Furthermore,the review underscores the potential of sonogenetics in vision restoration,which involves leveraging pharmacological and genetic manipulations to inhibit or enhance the expression of related mechanosensitive channels,thereby modulating the strength of the ultrasound response.We also address how methods such as viral transcription can be utilized to render specific neurons or organs highly responsive to ultrasound,leading to significantly improved therapeutic outcomes.展开更多
We tested the effectiveness of the gradual removal of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)in former plantations of this species in Roztocze National Park(SE Poland)to support the restoration of natural herbaceous flora and...We tested the effectiveness of the gradual removal of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)in former plantations of this species in Roztocze National Park(SE Poland)to support the restoration of natural herbaceous flora and forest structure.We compared 0.5-ha study plots subjected to selective removal of pine trees with control plots excluded from any kind of human intervention for half a century.The observed changes in forest floor vegetation in the converted plots showed naturalization towards habitat-specific species.However,differences in the spatial distribution of trees between the treatment and control plots showed no universal pattern and revealed subtle but positive shifts from regular to random or clustered patterns.The mean tree diameters were higher in plots subjected to Scots pine removal,which resulted from the vigorous growth of tree species,consistent with habitat types.We conclude that forest restoration through the removal of planted trees can support the naturalization of former Scots pine plantations in protected areas.However,the selection of an appropriate method and its intensity are of vital importance.Methods that resemble typical management practices,such as selection thinning,are not always the best approach,as they may preserve or even increase the regular distribution of trees.Therefore,for restoration purposes,we recommend testing other methods that increase spatial heterogeneity,including systematic cutting or emulating natural disturbances.In addition,low-intensity thinning may not be sufficient to support the restoration of natural forest floor vegetation and the variability in forest stand structure.展开更多
China has executed large-scale ecological restoration projects(ERPs)to meet the goals of environmental pro-tection and economic development.Yet,the integrated outcomes of these projects on the biodiversity-eco-environ...China has executed large-scale ecological restoration projects(ERPs)to meet the goals of environmental pro-tection and economic development.Yet,the integrated outcomes of these projects on the biodiversity-eco-environment-society dimensions remain unclear,but when available could be insightful for adaptation and ad-justments,particularly in this United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration(2021-2030).Based on multi-source data,we identified the categories and quantities of large-scale ERP implementation in the county-level.By comparing the time-series multiple factors of implemented vs unimplemented counties,we quantify the con-tributions and compare the relative effects of up to six different ERPs.Combining random forest,spatial autocor-relation,and network analysis,we explore the key factors that affect the contributions of ERPs.Here,we show that the triple dimensions in the low ERP group(regions implementing 0-2 projects)produced better outcomes than the high ERP group(regions implementing 3-5 projects)in relatively developed regions,while the high ERP group has more gains than the low ERP group in relatively less-developed regions.Notably,regional character-istics and different social assets mediate the ERP contributions,while human capital and financial capital have important roles.Overall,the ERPs generated positive contributions and could increase the network stability of multi-dimensions in relatively less-developed regions,but it may lead to imbalances in some factors(i.e.,mam-mal species conservation,and human capital).To continue to minimize the negative effects from past,and to improve the returns of ERP policy and investments,more timely and adaptive management of ERPs are needed,especially in relatively less-developed regions.展开更多
Understanding how different vegetation-based restoration practices alter soil chemical and microbial characteristics is crucial,as restoration practices influence phosphorus(P)transformation and fractions and modify P...Understanding how different vegetation-based restoration practices alter soil chemical and microbial characteristics is crucial,as restoration practices influence phosphorus(P)transformation and fractions and modify P adsorption behavior during the restoration process of degraded land.This study investigated the impacts of vegetation-based restoration practices on soil chemical and microbial parameters,P fractions,and patterns of P adsorption and desorption,and highlighted the combined influence on P availability.To evaluate the impact of vegetation-based restoration practices on P fractions and adsorption behavior in the semi-arid degraded land in India,this study compared three distinct tree-based restoration systems,including Leucaena leucocephala(Lam.)de Wit-based silviculture system(SCS),Acacia nilotica(L.)Willd.ex Delile-based silvopasture system(SPS),and Emblica officinalis Gaertn-based hortipasture system(HPS),with a natural grassland system(NGS)and a degraded fallow system(FS)as control.The soil samples across various soil depths(0-15,15-30,and 30-45 cm)were collected.The findings demonstrated that SCS,SPS,and HPS significantly improved soil organic carbon(SOC)and nutrient availability.Moreover,SCS and SPS resulted in increased microbial biomass phosphorus(MBP)content and phosphatase enzyme activity.The P fractionation analysis revealed that ferrum-associated phosphorus(Fe-P)was the major P fraction,followed by aluminum-associated phosphorus(Al-P),reflecting the dominance of ferrum(Fe)and aluminum(Al)oxides in the semi-arid degraded land.Compared with FS,vegetation-based restoration practices significantly increased various P fractions across soil depths.Additionally,P adsorption and desorption analysis indicated a lower adsorption capacity in tree-based restoration systems than in FS,with FS soils adsorbing higher P quantities in the adsorption phase but releasing less P during the desorption phase.This study revealed that degraded soils responded positively to ecological restoration in terms of P fraction and desorption behavior,influencing the resupply of P in restoration systems.Consequently,litter rich N-fixing tree-based restoration systems(i.e.,SCS and SPS)increased total phosphorus(TP)stock for plants and sustained the potential for long-term P supply in semi-arid ecosystems.With the widespread adoption of restoration practices across degraded landscapes,SCS and SPS would significantly contribute to soil restoration and improve productivity by maintaining the soil P supply in semi-arid ecosystems in India.展开更多
Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most common form of dementia,affecting over 50 million people worldwide.This figure is projected to nearly double every 20 years,reaching 82 million by 2030 and 152 million by 2050(Alzhe...Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most common form of dementia,affecting over 50 million people worldwide.This figure is projected to nearly double every 20 years,reaching 82 million by 2030 and 152 million by 2050(Alzheimer’s Disease International).The apolipoproteinε4(APOE4)allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD(after age 65 years).Apolipoprotein E,a lipid transporter,exists in three variants:ε2,ε3,andε4.APOEε2(APOE2)is protective against AD,APOEε3(APOE3)is neutral,while APOE4 significantly increases the risk.Individuals with one copy of APOE4 have a 4-fold greater risk of developing AD,and those with two copies face an 8-fold risk compared to non-carriers.Even in cognitively normal individuals,APOE4 carriers exhibit brain metabolic and vascular deficits decades before amyloid-beta(Aβ)plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles emerge-the hallmark pathologies of AD(Reiman et al.,2001,2005;Thambisetty et al.,2010).Notably,studies have demonstrated reduced glucose uptake,or hypometabolism,in brain regions vulnerable to AD in asymptomatic middle-aged APOE4 carriers,long before clinical symptoms arise(Reiman et al.,2001,2005).展开更多
The current Tanzanian policy guidelines regarding ecological restoration encourage total protection (enclosure system) against grazing activities, fires and wood extraction to allow regeneration in state-based Miombo ...The current Tanzanian policy guidelines regarding ecological restoration encourage total protection (enclosure system) against grazing activities, fires and wood extraction to allow regeneration in state-based Miombo woodlands. However, there is little evidence on how such treatments would promote restoration. We fetched the pieces of evidence from studies that evaluated the impact of management treatments on the lightly degraded Miombo woodlands at Kitulangalo Forest Reserve in eastern Tanzania. Plot fencing and fire exclusion constrained woody species regeneration due to competition compared to unfenced plots. Adopting quota grazing policies and controlled burning systems can be the shortest and most eco-friendly pathways towards Miombo restoration. The results pointed out that stand disturbances and silvicultural practices can promote regeneration, which is crucial to promoting ecological restoration in Miombo woodlands.展开更多
Images obtained from hyperspectral sensors provide information about the target area that extends beyond the visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.However,due to sensor limitations and imperfections during ...Images obtained from hyperspectral sensors provide information about the target area that extends beyond the visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.However,due to sensor limitations and imperfections during the image acquisition and transmission phases,noise is introduced into the acquired image,which can have a negative impact on downstream analyses such as classification,target tracking,and spectral unmixing.Noise in hyperspectral images(HSI)is modelled as a combination from several sources,including Gaussian/impulse noise,stripes,and deadlines.An HSI restoration method for such a mixed noise model is proposed.First,a joint optimisation framework is proposed for recovering hyperspectral data corrupted by mixed Gaussian-impulse noise by estimating both the clean data as well as the sparse/impulse noise levels.Second,a hyper-Laplacian prior is used along both the spatial and spectral dimensions to express sparsity in clean image gradients.Third,to model the sparse nature of impulse noise,anℓ_(1)−norm over the impulse noise gradient is used.Because the proposed methodology employs two distinct priors,the authors refer to it as the hyperspectral dual prior(HySpDualP)denoiser.To the best of authors'knowledge,this joint optimisation framework is the first attempt in this direction.To handle the non-smooth and nonconvex nature of the generalℓ_(p)−norm-based regularisation term,a generalised shrinkage/thresholding(GST)solver is employed.Finally,an efficient split-Bregman approach is used to solve the resulting optimisation problem.Experimental results on synthetic data and real HSI datacube obtained from hyperspectral sensors demonstrate that the authors’proposed model outperforms state-of-the-art methods,both visually and in terms of various image quality assessment metrics.展开更多
The restoration of European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) population is critical for biodiversity and ecosystem services recovery. This study evaluates the potential of innovative clay substrates, developed and patented...The restoration of European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) population is critical for biodiversity and ecosystem services recovery. This study evaluates the potential of innovative clay substrates, developed and patented by Oyster Heaven, as cost-effective and degradable alternatives for large-scale oyster reef restoration. Field trials conducted in an oyster aquaculture site and hatchery experiments under controlled conditions assessed the larvae settlement efficiency, microbial biofilm composition, and environmental influences. Results showed significantly lower larvae recruitment on clay prototypes and spat collectors used as control, in wild conditions, with environmental factors such as temperature and hypoxia playing a key role. In the hatchery, larvae preferred oyster shells (17,174 ± 659 spats/m2) over clay prototypes (2917 ± 111 spats/m2) and spat collectors (1451 ± 160 spats/m2). Microbial analysis revealed a shift towards Cyanobacteria and Woeseia species, with Pseudoalteromonadaceae, a genus previously linked to both stimulating and inhibiting larvae settlement, detected only on clay surfaces. Despite challenges, the clay prototypes demonstrated potential as sustainable substrates for restoration, particularly in managed “spats-on-reefs” strategies. This research highlights the importance of environmental monitoring, microbial interactions, and substrate optimization in enhancing restoration success for O. edulis populations. Further investigations are recommended to refine clay designs and assess their broader applicability under variable environmental conditions.展开更多
The Andean montane forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services like water supply, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity preservation. Restoration of these forests is critical due to their degraded state and th...The Andean montane forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services like water supply, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity preservation. Restoration of these forests is critical due to their degraded state and the need to recover, maintain and enhance the ecosystem services they provide. However, we lack understanding of aboveground biomass (AGB) accumulation in restored Andean montane forests. AGB is a key indicator of ecosystem productivity and provides essential data on vegetation carbon stocks, permitting the assess successfulness of restoration efforts. In 2010 the initiative Más Bosques para Medellín was formulated in Medellín City, tropical Andes, Colombia, aiming to restore the forests located in the surrounding rural areas of the city, with interest in preserving the ecosystems services like water supply. The project established 548 ha of mixed plantations with native species. After 13 years, our study aims to developed in situ allometric equations and to evaluate AGB accumulation to assess restoration performance. We measured, harvested, and weighted 144 individuals from these arrangements to fit a general equation for the project and six specific equations for each one of the six most frequent species. The AGB had a positive correlation with diameter at breast height (D), total height (H) and specific wood density (WD). The best general equation uses D and WD as predictors (R^(2) = 0.928). The specific species equations certainly responded to the functional traits of each species. Using the latest inventory of permanent plots of the project we estimated a mean AGB accumulation of 41.91 ± 30.34 Mg ha^(–1) and a total accumulation of 22,996.05 Mg of AGB for the 548 ha. We compared these results with studies developed for natural forest in the region and other land covers. We found contrast behaviors in the AGB accumulation across our study zones. The developed equations have broad applicability across the Andes region, offering valuable insights for similar restoration initiatives. Furthermore, will facilitate the assessment of current restoration efforts and inform scientifically based decisions for future mixed plantation practices.展开更多
We subjected seeds and shoots of eelgrass Zostera marina to different combinations of sediment loosening(0(control),5,10 cm in depth)and sediment fertilization(0(control),40,80,120,160 g/m^(2))through a field experime...We subjected seeds and shoots of eelgrass Zostera marina to different combinations of sediment loosening(0(control),5,10 cm in depth)and sediment fertilization(0(control),40,80,120,160 g/m^(2))through a field experiment involving seed sowing and shoot transplantation from September 2020 to September 2021.Growth analysis revealed optimum ranges for sediment fertiliza-tion and sediment loosening were 88.8-93.8 g/m^(2)and 5.3-5.8 cm for Z.marina seed sowing,as well as 79.7-86.7 g/m^(2)and 5.9-6.5 cm for Z.marina shoot transplanting,respectively.The shoot densities of Z.marina exposed to these optimum range of sediment fer-tilization and sediment loosening were 1.1-1.3 times of those in the control group.Porewater nutrients are key environmental factors affecting seed germination and shoot growth of Z.marina.The results provide valuable insights for enhancing restoration effects of Z.marina.展开更多
Climate change is expected to alter the popu-lation dynamics of pioneer tree species and their planned use in sustainable forest management,but we have a lim-ited understanding of how their demographic rates change in...Climate change is expected to alter the popu-lation dynamics of pioneer tree species and their planned use in sustainable forest management,but we have a lim-ited understanding of how their demographic rates change in response to climate changes during ecological restora-tion.Based on 12 years of demographic data for a pioneer tree species(Pinus massoniana)censused in three plots that correspond to three stages of ecological restoration in south-eastern China.We built integral projection models(IPMs)to assess vital rates(survival,growth,reproduction)and population growth in each plot,then evaluated demographic changes to simulated changes in seasonal mean temperature and precipitation in the current and previous census period.The plot representing the medium restoration stage had the highest population growth rate(λ=0.983).Mean population survival probability increased with ecological restoration,and reproduction probability was significantly suppressed at the high restoration stage.Survival is always the most important vital rate forλ,and climate affectsλprimarily via survival at each restoration stage.The current spring tem-perature was the most critical climate variable forλin the low and medium restoration stages,and previous summer temperature was most critical in the high restoration stage.Simulated warming leads to a decrease in the stochastic population growth rate(λ_(s))of P.massoniana in every stage.These findings suggest that during ecological restoration,P.massoniana responds to habitat change via modified demo-graphic performance,thus altering its response to climate change.Despite diverse responses to climate change,the persistence of P.massoniana populations is facing a wide-spread threat of warming states at each restoration stages.展开更多
The coastal zone ecological restoration project has successfully restored a cumulative shoreline length of 76 km in Fanhe Harbor and Kaozhou Bay ecological restoration shoreline (mangrove forest) located in Huidong Co...The coastal zone ecological restoration project has successfully restored a cumulative shoreline length of 76 km in Fanhe Harbor and Kaozhou Bay ecological restoration shoreline (mangrove forest) located in Huidong County, Huizhou City. Additionally, 5 619.5 m of artificial shoreline has been developed as part of the ecological restoration efforts. Various methods, including UAV remote sensing, orthophoto acquisition, and analysis using ArcGIS software, were employed to assess the length, width, coverage, and other relevant indicators of the newly established ecologically restored shoreline. The findings indicate that the average width, coverage, and ecosystem stability of mangrove forests in the restored area satisfy the criteria for the acceptance of ecological shoreline restoration. Furthermore, a relatively stable ecosystem has been established for over two years. This study offers a scientific foundation for the ecological restoration of mangrove forests and holds considerable significance for the conservation and utilization of mangrove forest resources.展开更多
基金This research was jointly supported by the project of the China Geological Survey(DD20242481)Key Laboratory of Airborne Geophysics and Remote Sensing Geology,MNR(2020YFL33)。
文摘Eco-geological vulnerability assessment is a significant research topic within the field of eco-geology,but it remains poorly studied.The Mu Us Sandy Land,located in the central part of the farming-pastoral ecotone in northern China,plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological security pattern in this region.However,this sandy land also faces severe sandy desertification and ecological degradation.This study conducted a regional eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land using a comprehensive index evaluation method based on eco-geological theories and survey results.To construct an appropriate index system for the eco-geological vulnerability assessment of the Mu Us Sandy Land,the study considered the sandy land’s unique characteristics and identified 15 factors of five categories,namely geology,meteorology,soil,topography,and vegetation.The paper calculated the comprehensive weights of all the indices using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and the entropy weight method(EWM).Furthermore,it established the eco-geological vulnerability index(EGVI)and obtained the assessment results.The results showed that the eco-geological vulnerability of the Mu Us Sandy Land gradually intensifies from east to west,manifested as vulnerable eco-geological conditions overall.Specifically,extremely vulnerable zones are found in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the study area,highly vulnerable zones in the western and southern parts,moderately vulnerable zones in the central part,and slightly and potentially vulnerable zones in the eastern and southern parts.Areas with high spatial autocorrelations include the northern Uxin Banner-Otog Banner-Angsu Town area,the surrounding areas of Hongdunjie Town in the southeastern part of the study area,the Hongshiqiao Township-Xiaohaotu Township area,Otog Front Banner,and Bainijing Town,which should be prioritized in the ecological conservation and restoration.Additionally,the paper proposed suggestions for the ecological conservation and restoration of county-level administrative areas in the study area.Overall,the findings provide a valuable reference for the ecological conservation and restoration of the Mu Us Sandy Land and other desert areas in arid and semi-arid regions.
基金supported by the Double First-Class Innovation Research Project for People’s Public Security University of China(No.2023SYL07).
文摘Facial recognition systems have become increasingly significant in public security efforts. They play a crucial role in apprehending criminals and locating missing children and elderly individuals. Nevertheless, in practical applications, around 30% to 50% of images are obstructed to varied extents, for as by the presence of masks, glasses, or hats. Repairing the masked facial images will enhance face recognition accuracy by 10% to 20%. Simultaneously, market research indicates a rising demand for efficient facial recognition technology within the security and surveillance sectors, with projections suggesting that the global facial recognition market would exceed US$3 billion by 2025. Therefore, finding a prompt and efficient solution to fix the masked face and enhance its accuracy has become a pressing issue that has to be resolved. Currently, the generative adversarial network has shown excellent performance in the field of image restoration, with high precision and good quality of restoration results, but it consumes a lot of computing resources. Based on this, this paper proposes a model architecture that uses the U-Net network to replace the generator in the generative adversarial network, and replaces all traditional convolutional layers with Depthwise Separable Convolutional (DWSC) to make the entire network lightweight. Ultimately, We utilise the Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) value to assess the efficacy of the developed model. We select samples with occlusion levels ranging from 10%–15% and 20%–30%, yielding PSNR values of 35.51 and 30.33, respectively. In contrast, the PSNR values of the three predominant algorithms in image restoration—PM, ShiftNet, and PICNet—are all below 30, demonstrating the superiority of the model presented in this paper. However, the model presented in this work possesses certain drawbacks. This work employs solely black rectangles to replicate real-life occlusions. Future study should utilise tangible objects, like as sunglasses and masks, to directly imitate occlusions, so enhancing the accuracy of the restoration effect. The model presented in this study can be further expanded from image restoration to video restoration to investigate the potential for dynamic occlusion repair.
基金Under the auspices of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52268008)。
文摘This study focuses on urgent research on restoring and enhancing carbon storage capacity in the Beibu Gulf Urban Agglomer-ation of China,a key area in the‘Belt and Road’Initiative,which aligns with carbon peaking and neutrality goals.This research ana-lyzes the spatial characteristics of carbon metabolism from 2000 to 2020 and uses models to identify stable carbon sink areas,positive carbon flow corridors,and carbon sequestration nodes.The goal is to construct a carbon metabolism spatial security pattern(CMSSP)and propose territorial ecological restoration strategies under different development demand scenarios.The results show the following:1)in 2020,the study area’s carbon sink decreased by 8.29×10^(4) t C/yr compared with that in 2010 and by 10.83×10^(4) t C/yr compared with that in 2000.High-carbon sinks were found mainly in mountainous areas,whereas low-carbon sinks are concentrated in urban con-struction land,rural residential areas,and land margins.2)From 2000 to 2020,the spatial security pattern of carbon metabolism tended to be‘high in the middle of the east and west and low in the gulf.’In 2000,2010,and 2020,16 stable carbon sinks were identified.The carbon energy flow density in Guangxi was greater than that in Guangdong and Hainan,with positive carbon flow corridors located primarily in Guangxi and Guangdong.The number of carbon sequestration nodes remained stable at approximately 15,mainly in Guangxi and Hainan.3)Scenario simulations revealed that under the Nature-based mild restoration scenario,the carbon sink rate will reach 611.85×10^(4) t C/yr by 2030 and increase to 612.45×10^(4) t C/yr by 2060,with stable carbon sinks increasing to 18.In the restora-tion scenario based on Anti-globalization,the carbon sink will decrease from 610.24×10^(4) t C/yr in 2030 to 605.19×10^(4) t C/yr in 2060,with the disappearance of some positive carbon flow corridors and stable carbon sinks.Under the Human-based sustainable restoration scenario,the carbon sink area will decrease from 607.00×10^(4) t C/yr in 2030 to 596.39×10^(4) t C/yr in 2060,with carbon sink areas frag-menting and positive carbon flow corridors becoming less dense.4)On the basis of the current and predicted CMSSPs,this study ex-plores spatial ecological restoration strategies for high-carbon storage areas in bay urban agglomerations at four levels:the land control region,urban agglomeration structure system,carbon sink structure and bay structure control region.
文摘The metabolite lactate (L-lactate) can be generated and released by diverse brain cells,including neurons,astrocytes,and oligodendrocytes (Kann,2023;Rae et al.,2024).Lactate production usually requires the degradation of glucose (D-glucose)-and glycogen in astrocytes-to pyruvate by glycolysis and subsequent conversion of pyruvate to lactate by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase(Figure 1A;Dienel,2019;Rae et al.,2024).
文摘Spinal cord injury results in paralysis, sensory disturbances, sphincter dysfunction, and multiple systemic secondary conditions, most arising from autonomic dysregulation. All this produces profound negative psychosocial implications for affected people, their families, and their communities;the financial costs can be challenging for their families and health institutions. Treatments aimed at restoring the spinal cord after spinal cord injury, which have been tested in animal models or clinical trials, generally seek to counteract one or more of the secondary mechanisms of injury to limit the extent of the initial damage. Most published works on structural/functional restoration in acute and chronic spinal cord injury stages use a single type of treatment: a drug or trophic factor, transplant of a cell type, and implantation of a biomaterial. Despite the significant benefits reported in animal models, when translating these successful therapeutic strategies to humans, the result in clinical trials has been considered of little relevance because the improvement, when present, is usually insufficient. Until now, most studies designed to promote neuroprotection or regeneration at different stages after spinal cord injury have used single treatments. Considering the occurrence of various secondary mechanisms of injury in the acute and sub-acute phases of spinal cord injury, it is reasonable to speculate that more than one therapeutic agent could be required to promote structural and functional restoration of the damaged spinal cord. Treatments that combine several therapeutic agents, targeting different mechanisms of injury, which, when used as a single therapy, have shown some benefits, allow us to assume that they will have synergistic beneficial effects. Thus, this narrative review article aims to summarize current trends in the use of strategies that combine therapeutic agents administered simultaneously or sequentially, seeking structural and functional restoration of the injured spinal cord.
文摘To scientifically evaluate the restoration performance of ancient city walls,Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy(THz-TDS)and infrared thermal imaging technology were applied to assess the Desheng Fortress(Ming Dynasty).Three representative sections were examined:adobe brick masonry repaired(Area 1),well-preserved original(Area 2),and layer-by-layer ramming repaired(Area 3).THz spectral data revealed significant differences between Area 1(time delay:3.72 ps;refractive index:2.224)and Area 2(time delay:3.02 ps;refractive index:2.107),while Area 3(time delay:3.12 ps;refractive index:2.098)demonstrated nearly identical THz spectral data to Area 2.Infrared thermal imaging also showed that the Area 3 restored by layer-by-layer ramming exhibited greater uniformity with fewer instances of cracks,capillary phenomena,or biological diseases.The proposed point-surface integrated evaluation methodology synergistically combines infrared thermography mapping of heritage surfaces with THz spectral datasets acquired through in-situ micro-sampling,enabling quantitative restoration assessment and providing a novel approach for scientifically validating traditional conservation techniques.
文摘There is evidence that the development of plant communities determines the composition and structure of the orthoptera assemblages. This is the reason for using the orthoptera biodiversity as an indicator of environmental recovery processes in revegetated areas. This research is a part of the monitoring actions included in the Breña’s Compensation Project, linked to the construction of the Breña II damp. It is aimed to assess the biodiversity of the Orthopteran assemblages settled in the restored river copses after nine years following (2007-2016). The results will be interpreted as an indirect measure of the success of the environmental improvement performed. In 2016, two forest farms named “Las Mesas” and “Cerro del Trigo” located in the Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park (Córdoba, Southern Iberian Peninsula) were selected for monitoring. These sampling sites were also selected in a previous following phase, which makes comparisons easier and more reliable. At each of these sampling sites, two revegetated enclosures corresponding to the environmental model “restored river copses” and their respective control areas were selected for the study. From the values of the specimen’s number recorded in each sampling plot, the same population indices that in the previous phase (Richness, Abundance, Dominance, Shannon Diversity, and Evenness) were calculated. The diversity profiles using Rényi’s family of uni-parametric diversity indices were also obtained. Differences in the indices were statistically tested by resampling bootstrapping for inferential statistics. Based on our results, the environmental differences between revegetated and control areas have not led to significant changes in the composition and structure of the orthopteran communities they host. In consequence, the environmental restoration carried out in the study area has not been as successful as could be expected and the previous environmental alterations have not been minimized nor have those derived from the environmental rehabilitation itself been compensated.
文摘Bangladesh is a deltaic country with a 710 km coastline and numerous newly accreted offshore islands in the central and eastern coastal regions. Natural mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) occupies about 100 km of coastline in the southwest, which protects the lives and properties of the coastal population of that area. The depletion of the forest stock of the Sundarbans was reported in 1875 due to the large-scale clearings by the woodcutters and uncertainty in natural regeneration. The restoration of the Sundarbans in the name of enrichment plantation and assisted natural regeneration was formally introduced in 1959 with Excoecaria agallocha followed by the introduction of mangrove and mainland (non-mangrove) species in the moderate to high saline zone and raised lands in the freshwater zone, respectively in 1975. Chakaria Sundarbans, the second largest natural mangrove forest on the east coast, was highly degraded with the rapid expansion of aquaculture between 1976 and 1989. Tremendous human interferences significantly altered the site condition, interrupting natural recovery. Coastal afforestation was initiated in 1966 with two pioneer mangrove species (Sonneratia apetala and Avicennia officinalis). Some afforested sites require attention for restoration due to natural and manmade causes. Bangladesh Forest Department adopted restoration activities with the technical support of the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute and other agencies. However, all the restoration activities for the Sundarbans, Chakaria Sundarbans, and coastal afforested sites had some success and failure stories. The success and failure of a mangrove restoration activity depends on planning (active or passive restoration), selection of suitable sites and species, planting materials, local community involvement, monitoring, evaluation and plantation management.
基金supported by R01EY032229(Biomechanical Mapping of the Optic Nerve Head and Peripapillary Sclera Using High Frequency Ultrasonic Elastography)R01EY028662(High-resolution Elastographic Assessment of the Optic Nerve Head)+2 种基金R01EY030126(Non-invasive Ultrasound Stimulated Retinal Prosthesis)(to QZ)Unrestricted Grant to the Department of Ophthalmology from Research to Prevent Blindness,New York,NY(to MSH)the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P30EY029220(to MSH)。
文摘Vision restoration presents a considerable challenge in the realm of regenerative medicine,while recent progress in ultrasound stimulation has displayed potential as a non-invasive therapeutic approach.This narrative review offers a comprehensive overview of current research on ultrasound-stimulated neuromodulation,emphasizing its potential as a treatment modality for various nerve injuries.By examining of the efficacy of different types of ultrasound stimulation in modulating peripheral and optic nerves,we can delve into their underlying molecular mechanisms.Furthermore,the review underscores the potential of sonogenetics in vision restoration,which involves leveraging pharmacological and genetic manipulations to inhibit or enhance the expression of related mechanosensitive channels,thereby modulating the strength of the ultrasound response.We also address how methods such as viral transcription can be utilized to render specific neurons or organs highly responsive to ultrasound,leading to significantly improved therapeutic outcomes.
基金financially supported by a grant from the Forest Fund of the Polish State Forests(Grant No.EZ.0290.1.16.2021).
文摘We tested the effectiveness of the gradual removal of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)in former plantations of this species in Roztocze National Park(SE Poland)to support the restoration of natural herbaceous flora and forest structure.We compared 0.5-ha study plots subjected to selective removal of pine trees with control plots excluded from any kind of human intervention for half a century.The observed changes in forest floor vegetation in the converted plots showed naturalization towards habitat-specific species.However,differences in the spatial distribution of trees between the treatment and control plots showed no universal pattern and revealed subtle but positive shifts from regular to random or clustered patterns.The mean tree diameters were higher in plots subjected to Scots pine removal,which resulted from the vigorous growth of tree species,consistent with habitat types.We conclude that forest restoration through the removal of planted trees can support the naturalization of former Scots pine plantations in protected areas.However,the selection of an appropriate method and its intensity are of vital importance.Methods that resemble typical management practices,such as selection thinning,are not always the best approach,as they may preserve or even increase the regular distribution of trees.Therefore,for restoration purposes,we recommend testing other methods that increase spatial heterogeneity,including systematic cutting or emulating natural disturbances.In addition,low-intensity thinning may not be sufficient to support the restoration of natural forest floor vegetation and the variability in forest stand structure.
基金funded by the National Overseas High-level Talent Program China(Grants No.41180953 and 41180944)Guangdong Provincial Special Research Grant for the Creation of National Parks(Grant No.2021GJGY034).
文摘China has executed large-scale ecological restoration projects(ERPs)to meet the goals of environmental pro-tection and economic development.Yet,the integrated outcomes of these projects on the biodiversity-eco-environment-society dimensions remain unclear,but when available could be insightful for adaptation and ad-justments,particularly in this United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration(2021-2030).Based on multi-source data,we identified the categories and quantities of large-scale ERP implementation in the county-level.By comparing the time-series multiple factors of implemented vs unimplemented counties,we quantify the con-tributions and compare the relative effects of up to six different ERPs.Combining random forest,spatial autocor-relation,and network analysis,we explore the key factors that affect the contributions of ERPs.Here,we show that the triple dimensions in the low ERP group(regions implementing 0-2 projects)produced better outcomes than the high ERP group(regions implementing 3-5 projects)in relatively developed regions,while the high ERP group has more gains than the low ERP group in relatively less-developed regions.Notably,regional character-istics and different social assets mediate the ERP contributions,while human capital and financial capital have important roles.Overall,the ERPs generated positive contributions and could increase the network stability of multi-dimensions in relatively less-developed regions,but it may lead to imbalances in some factors(i.e.,mam-mal species conservation,and human capital).To continue to minimize the negative effects from past,and to improve the returns of ERP policy and investments,more timely and adaptive management of ERPs are needed,especially in relatively less-developed regions.
基金funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research,Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,India(AGRIL.EDN/1/1/2022-EXAM CELL).
文摘Understanding how different vegetation-based restoration practices alter soil chemical and microbial characteristics is crucial,as restoration practices influence phosphorus(P)transformation and fractions and modify P adsorption behavior during the restoration process of degraded land.This study investigated the impacts of vegetation-based restoration practices on soil chemical and microbial parameters,P fractions,and patterns of P adsorption and desorption,and highlighted the combined influence on P availability.To evaluate the impact of vegetation-based restoration practices on P fractions and adsorption behavior in the semi-arid degraded land in India,this study compared three distinct tree-based restoration systems,including Leucaena leucocephala(Lam.)de Wit-based silviculture system(SCS),Acacia nilotica(L.)Willd.ex Delile-based silvopasture system(SPS),and Emblica officinalis Gaertn-based hortipasture system(HPS),with a natural grassland system(NGS)and a degraded fallow system(FS)as control.The soil samples across various soil depths(0-15,15-30,and 30-45 cm)were collected.The findings demonstrated that SCS,SPS,and HPS significantly improved soil organic carbon(SOC)and nutrient availability.Moreover,SCS and SPS resulted in increased microbial biomass phosphorus(MBP)content and phosphatase enzyme activity.The P fractionation analysis revealed that ferrum-associated phosphorus(Fe-P)was the major P fraction,followed by aluminum-associated phosphorus(Al-P),reflecting the dominance of ferrum(Fe)and aluminum(Al)oxides in the semi-arid degraded land.Compared with FS,vegetation-based restoration practices significantly increased various P fractions across soil depths.Additionally,P adsorption and desorption analysis indicated a lower adsorption capacity in tree-based restoration systems than in FS,with FS soils adsorbing higher P quantities in the adsorption phase but releasing less P during the desorption phase.This study revealed that degraded soils responded positively to ecological restoration in terms of P fraction and desorption behavior,influencing the resupply of P in restoration systems.Consequently,litter rich N-fixing tree-based restoration systems(i.e.,SCS and SPS)increased total phosphorus(TP)stock for plants and sustained the potential for long-term P supply in semi-arid ecosystems.With the widespread adoption of restoration practices across degraded landscapes,SCS and SPS would significantly contribute to soil restoration and improve productivity by maintaining the soil P supply in semi-arid ecosystems in India.
基金supported by National Institute on Aging(NIH-NIA)R01AG054459(to ALL).
文摘Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most common form of dementia,affecting over 50 million people worldwide.This figure is projected to nearly double every 20 years,reaching 82 million by 2030 and 152 million by 2050(Alzheimer’s Disease International).The apolipoproteinε4(APOE4)allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD(after age 65 years).Apolipoprotein E,a lipid transporter,exists in three variants:ε2,ε3,andε4.APOEε2(APOE2)is protective against AD,APOEε3(APOE3)is neutral,while APOE4 significantly increases the risk.Individuals with one copy of APOE4 have a 4-fold greater risk of developing AD,and those with two copies face an 8-fold risk compared to non-carriers.Even in cognitively normal individuals,APOE4 carriers exhibit brain metabolic and vascular deficits decades before amyloid-beta(Aβ)plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles emerge-the hallmark pathologies of AD(Reiman et al.,2001,2005;Thambisetty et al.,2010).Notably,studies have demonstrated reduced glucose uptake,or hypometabolism,in brain regions vulnerable to AD in asymptomatic middle-aged APOE4 carriers,long before clinical symptoms arise(Reiman et al.,2001,2005).
文摘The current Tanzanian policy guidelines regarding ecological restoration encourage total protection (enclosure system) against grazing activities, fires and wood extraction to allow regeneration in state-based Miombo woodlands. However, there is little evidence on how such treatments would promote restoration. We fetched the pieces of evidence from studies that evaluated the impact of management treatments on the lightly degraded Miombo woodlands at Kitulangalo Forest Reserve in eastern Tanzania. Plot fencing and fire exclusion constrained woody species regeneration due to competition compared to unfenced plots. Adopting quota grazing policies and controlled burning systems can be the shortest and most eco-friendly pathways towards Miombo restoration. The results pointed out that stand disturbances and silvicultural practices can promote regeneration, which is crucial to promoting ecological restoration in Miombo woodlands.
文摘Images obtained from hyperspectral sensors provide information about the target area that extends beyond the visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.However,due to sensor limitations and imperfections during the image acquisition and transmission phases,noise is introduced into the acquired image,which can have a negative impact on downstream analyses such as classification,target tracking,and spectral unmixing.Noise in hyperspectral images(HSI)is modelled as a combination from several sources,including Gaussian/impulse noise,stripes,and deadlines.An HSI restoration method for such a mixed noise model is proposed.First,a joint optimisation framework is proposed for recovering hyperspectral data corrupted by mixed Gaussian-impulse noise by estimating both the clean data as well as the sparse/impulse noise levels.Second,a hyper-Laplacian prior is used along both the spatial and spectral dimensions to express sparsity in clean image gradients.Third,to model the sparse nature of impulse noise,anℓ_(1)−norm over the impulse noise gradient is used.Because the proposed methodology employs two distinct priors,the authors refer to it as the hyperspectral dual prior(HySpDualP)denoiser.To the best of authors'knowledge,this joint optimisation framework is the first attempt in this direction.To handle the non-smooth and nonconvex nature of the generalℓ_(p)−norm-based regularisation term,a generalised shrinkage/thresholding(GST)solver is employed.Finally,an efficient split-Bregman approach is used to solve the resulting optimisation problem.Experimental results on synthetic data and real HSI datacube obtained from hyperspectral sensors demonstrate that the authors’proposed model outperforms state-of-the-art methods,both visually and in terms of various image quality assessment metrics.
文摘The restoration of European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) population is critical for biodiversity and ecosystem services recovery. This study evaluates the potential of innovative clay substrates, developed and patented by Oyster Heaven, as cost-effective and degradable alternatives for large-scale oyster reef restoration. Field trials conducted in an oyster aquaculture site and hatchery experiments under controlled conditions assessed the larvae settlement efficiency, microbial biofilm composition, and environmental influences. Results showed significantly lower larvae recruitment on clay prototypes and spat collectors used as control, in wild conditions, with environmental factors such as temperature and hypoxia playing a key role. In the hatchery, larvae preferred oyster shells (17,174 ± 659 spats/m2) over clay prototypes (2917 ± 111 spats/m2) and spat collectors (1451 ± 160 spats/m2). Microbial analysis revealed a shift towards Cyanobacteria and Woeseia species, with Pseudoalteromonadaceae, a genus previously linked to both stimulating and inhibiting larvae settlement, detected only on clay surfaces. Despite challenges, the clay prototypes demonstrated potential as sustainable substrates for restoration, particularly in managed “spats-on-reefs” strategies. This research highlights the importance of environmental monitoring, microbial interactions, and substrate optimization in enhancing restoration success for O. edulis populations. Further investigations are recommended to refine clay designs and assess their broader applicability under variable environmental conditions.
基金supported by resources of the Secretary of Environment of the Medellín district,through the agreement N°001-2023 between this entity,the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of National University of Colombia at Medellín
文摘The Andean montane forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services like water supply, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity preservation. Restoration of these forests is critical due to their degraded state and the need to recover, maintain and enhance the ecosystem services they provide. However, we lack understanding of aboveground biomass (AGB) accumulation in restored Andean montane forests. AGB is a key indicator of ecosystem productivity and provides essential data on vegetation carbon stocks, permitting the assess successfulness of restoration efforts. In 2010 the initiative Más Bosques para Medellín was formulated in Medellín City, tropical Andes, Colombia, aiming to restore the forests located in the surrounding rural areas of the city, with interest in preserving the ecosystems services like water supply. The project established 548 ha of mixed plantations with native species. After 13 years, our study aims to developed in situ allometric equations and to evaluate AGB accumulation to assess restoration performance. We measured, harvested, and weighted 144 individuals from these arrangements to fit a general equation for the project and six specific equations for each one of the six most frequent species. The AGB had a positive correlation with diameter at breast height (D), total height (H) and specific wood density (WD). The best general equation uses D and WD as predictors (R^(2) = 0.928). The specific species equations certainly responded to the functional traits of each species. Using the latest inventory of permanent plots of the project we estimated a mean AGB accumulation of 41.91 ± 30.34 Mg ha^(–1) and a total accumulation of 22,996.05 Mg of AGB for the 548 ha. We compared these results with studies developed for natural forest in the region and other land covers. We found contrast behaviors in the AGB accumulation across our study zones. The developed equations have broad applicability across the Andes region, offering valuable insights for similar restoration initiatives. Furthermore, will facilitate the assessment of current restoration efforts and inform scientifically based decisions for future mixed plantation practices.
基金supported by the National Key Re-search and Development Program of China(No.2023 YFD2401102)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42076100)the Joint Research Center for Conservation,Restoration&Sustainable Utilization of Marine Ecology of Ocean University of China-China State Shipbuilding Corporation Environmental Development Co.,Ltd.(No.H20240008).
文摘We subjected seeds and shoots of eelgrass Zostera marina to different combinations of sediment loosening(0(control),5,10 cm in depth)and sediment fertilization(0(control),40,80,120,160 g/m^(2))through a field experiment involving seed sowing and shoot transplantation from September 2020 to September 2021.Growth analysis revealed optimum ranges for sediment fertiliza-tion and sediment loosening were 88.8-93.8 g/m^(2)and 5.3-5.8 cm for Z.marina seed sowing,as well as 79.7-86.7 g/m^(2)and 5.9-6.5 cm for Z.marina shoot transplanting,respectively.The shoot densities of Z.marina exposed to these optimum range of sediment fer-tilization and sediment loosening were 1.1-1.3 times of those in the control group.Porewater nutrients are key environmental factors affecting seed germination and shoot growth of Z.marina.The results provide valuable insights for enhancing restoration effects of Z.marina.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.31971638)the Public Welfare Project of Fujian Science and Technology Department(grant no.2024R1002001).
文摘Climate change is expected to alter the popu-lation dynamics of pioneer tree species and their planned use in sustainable forest management,but we have a lim-ited understanding of how their demographic rates change in response to climate changes during ecological restora-tion.Based on 12 years of demographic data for a pioneer tree species(Pinus massoniana)censused in three plots that correspond to three stages of ecological restoration in south-eastern China.We built integral projection models(IPMs)to assess vital rates(survival,growth,reproduction)and population growth in each plot,then evaluated demographic changes to simulated changes in seasonal mean temperature and precipitation in the current and previous census period.The plot representing the medium restoration stage had the highest population growth rate(λ=0.983).Mean population survival probability increased with ecological restoration,and reproduction probability was significantly suppressed at the high restoration stage.Survival is always the most important vital rate forλ,and climate affectsλprimarily via survival at each restoration stage.The current spring tem-perature was the most critical climate variable forλin the low and medium restoration stages,and previous summer temperature was most critical in the high restoration stage.Simulated warming leads to a decrease in the stochastic population growth rate(λ_(s))of P.massoniana in every stage.These findings suggest that during ecological restoration,P.massoniana responds to habitat change via modified demo-graphic performance,thus altering its response to climate change.Despite diverse responses to climate change,the persistence of P.massoniana populations is facing a wide-spread threat of warming states at each restoration stages.
文摘The coastal zone ecological restoration project has successfully restored a cumulative shoreline length of 76 km in Fanhe Harbor and Kaozhou Bay ecological restoration shoreline (mangrove forest) located in Huidong County, Huizhou City. Additionally, 5 619.5 m of artificial shoreline has been developed as part of the ecological restoration efforts. Various methods, including UAV remote sensing, orthophoto acquisition, and analysis using ArcGIS software, were employed to assess the length, width, coverage, and other relevant indicators of the newly established ecologically restored shoreline. The findings indicate that the average width, coverage, and ecosystem stability of mangrove forests in the restored area satisfy the criteria for the acceptance of ecological shoreline restoration. Furthermore, a relatively stable ecosystem has been established for over two years. This study offers a scientific foundation for the ecological restoration of mangrove forests and holds considerable significance for the conservation and utilization of mangrove forest resources.
